Daily Current Affairs and GK | 7 December 2025

Topic: Corporates/Companies

1. SEBI has given in-principle approval of registration to Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT).

• On 5 December, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) received SEBI's approval.
• SEBI has given approval to RIIT as an Infrastructure Investment Trust under the SEBI (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014.
• Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said the approval will help unlock the revenue potential of national highway assets.
• The approval will also create a high-quality, long-term investment instrument mainly targeting retail and domestic investors.
• Under the process to secure final registration, the trust must meet specific conditions within next six months.
• These conditions include appointing its directors, submitting the required financial statements and complying with other regulatory requirements.
• The Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust is a public infrastructure investment Trust.
• It aims to make it possible for broad-based public participation in national highway monetisation to happen by the creating the necessary conditions.
• In November 2025, Raajmarg Infra Investment Managers Pvt. Ltd. (RIIMPL) was incorporated by NHAI as the Investment Manager for the Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT).
• RIIMPL is a collaborative venture with leading banks and financial institutions, including SBI, PNB, NaBFID, Axis Bank, Bajaj Finserv Ventures Ltd., HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, IndusInd Bank, and Yes Bank.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

2. The International Tracked Packet Service agreement signed between India Post and Russia Post.

• On 5 December, a bilateral agreement on the International Tracked Packet Service (ITPS) was signed between the Department of Posts, India, and JSC Russia Post.
• The agreement was announced by the Ministry of Communications as a significant step in strengthening cross-border postal cooperation between India and Russia.
• Under this agreement, the ITPS facility will be offered by India Post to Indian exporters at competitive tariff rates.
• The service is intended to improve price competitiveness and enhance market access for Indian sellers in the Russian market.
• MSMEs, artisans, start-ups, and rural entrepreneurs are expected to be the primary beneficiaries of this initiative.
• The agreement will enable Indian sellers to access Russian e-marketplaces with affordable logistics and dependable delivery timelines.
• The move reflects a shared commitment by both nations to deepen bilateral trade and promote digital commerce.
• Strengthened collaboration in postal and logistics services has been highlighted as a key objective of the agreement.
• The ITPS framework aims to create a cost-effective, trackable, and reliable logistics channel for low-value consignments.

Topic: Personality in News

3. Veteran Actor Kalyan Chattopadhyay passed away at the age of 82.

• On 7 December, veteran actor Kalyan Chattopadhyay was passed away at the age of 82 after being hospitalised due to age-related illness.
• Kalyan Chattopadhyay was born in 1942 in Berhampore of Murshidabad district, West Bengal.
• He was a graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune.
• His film career was begun in 1968 with Tapan Sinha’s film Apanjan.
• He was featured in notable films such as Pratidwandi, Sagina Mahato, Dhannyi Meye, Safed Haathi, Paar, and Kahani.
• Over his career, he acted in more than 400 films across multiple languages.
• Several television serials and one web series were also associated with his acting career.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

4. 20th Session of UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee began in New Delhi on 8 December.

• The 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage is being conducted from 8 to 13 December 2025 in New Delhi.
• The historic Red Fort complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been chosen as the venue for the event, symbolising the bringing together of India's authentic and artificial heritage under one roof.
• The session is being chaired by Vishal V. Sharma, India’s Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO.
• This is the first time India is hosting a session of the ICH Committee.
• This year, India has nominated Chhath Mahaparva and Diwali for UNESCO's Intangible Heritage List.
• The proposal was earlier reviewed by independent evaluation bodies and will be discussed during the session.
• The six-day session aims to examine nominations submitted by States Parties for inscription on UNESCO ICH Lists.
• The status of existing heritage elements will be reviewed, along with requests for international assistance.
• The event coincides with the twentieth anniversary of India's ratification of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2005, reflecting India's continued commitment to the preservation of living cultural traditions.
• UNESCO adopted the 2003 Convention on the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage on 17 October 2003 during its 32nd General Conference in Paris.
• India has served on the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for three terms.
• To date, 15 Indian elements have been included in UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, reflecting the depth and cultural continuity of the country's extraordinary civilization.

(Source: PIB)

Topic: State News/Gujarat

5. Bio-CNG and Fertilizer Plant inaugurated by Amit Shah in Gujarat.

• On 6 December, a Bio-CNG and fertilizer plant set up by Banas Dairy was inaugurated by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah in Gujarat’s Vav-Tharad region.
• The foundation stone for a 150-ton milk powder plant was also laid during the event.
• Government initiatives under White Revolution 2.0 were highlighted by Amit Shah during his address.
• Schemes such as the National Gokul Mission and National Dairy Plan were cited as drivers of dairy sector growth.
• Banas Dairy’s turnover has reached ₹24,000 crore, reflecting the strength of the cooperative model.
• Women dairy workers from Banaskantha were credited for improving milk collection and rural livelihoods.
• The Bio-CNG project is expected to act as a model for other dairy cooperatives across India.
• Shah assured that the circular economy model will increase farmers' income by at least 20% even without increasing milk production.
• Banas Dairy has been identified as a hub for implementing national-level cooperative strategies.
• Shah said that micro-ATMs have been installed in every village milk cooperative, and there are plans to expand financial services through them.
• He reiterated that the central government is committed to achieving the targets set under White Revolution 2.0, and that Gujarat's cooperative model will play a key role in this.

Topic: Sports

6. Rohit Sharma became the fourth Indian to cross 20,000 International Runs.

• On 6 December, the milestone of 20,000 international runs was achieved by Rohit Sharma during the third ODI against South Africa.
• The record was reached across all three formats—Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
• Rohit Sharma has remained a consistent opener for India for over a decade.
• His performances have contributed significantly to India’s success in white-ball cricket.
• Earlier in the series, the record for most ODI sixes was surpassed by him.
• With this feat, he has joined an elite group including Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Rahul Dravid.
• Virat Kohli continues to hold the record as the fastest to reach 20,000 runs.

Topic: Important Days

7. Armed Forces Flag Day: 7 December

• Armed Forces Flag Day is observed throughout the country on 7 December.
• Armed Forces Flag Day is oberved annually since 1949.
• This day honours the martyrs who have heroically fought for the country.
• Armed Forces Flag Day is dedicated to the soldiers who protect the country’s borders.
• This day is also observed to raise funds for the welfare of personnel and their families.
• On Armed Forces Flag Day, the Sainik Welfare and Resettlement Department of Gujarat and the Rajya Sainik Board, Gujarat, honoured Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
• They pinned the flag on him during a ceremony in Ahmedabad on 7 December 2025.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

8. US President Donald Trump received the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize at the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington.

• FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented the award.
• The prize was created to recognise extraordinary contributions to global peace.
• Trump called the honour one of the greatest of his life and claimed he helped resolve several international conflicts.
• He said he played a role in the India–Pakistan ceasefire earlier this year. India has denied this claim.
• Infantino praised Trump’s efforts to promote peace and presented Trump with a medal and a certificate.
• The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
• The tournament will open on June 11 with a match between Mexico and Canada.

Topic: Banking/Finance

9. Fino Payments Bank has received in-principle approval from RBI for conversion to a small finance bank.

• RBI evaluated Fino Payments Bank’s request as per procedure in  the guidelines for ‘on tap’ licensing of SFBs in the private sector.
• As per the norms, resident-controlled payments banks with five years of operations are eligible for conversion into SFBs.
• Earlier this year, AU SFB was granted in-principle approval by RBI to convert into an universal bank.
• The application of Jana SFB to convert into an universal bank was returned by RBI earlier this year.
• Ujjivan SFB had also applied for universal bank license. Its application is pending with RBI.
• Now only few operational and large scale payments bank remain in the country.
• These include Airtel Payments Bank, Jio Payments Bank and India Post Payments Bank.
• In 2018, RBI barred Paytm Payments Bank from accepting fresh deposits due to violation of regulatory norms. The ban continues to exist till date.
• The payments bank came into being originally to support underserved regions with basic transactions.
• As per RBI's rules, payments banks cannot lend and cannot accept more than ₹2 lakh from each depositor.
• An SFB shall open at least 25% of branches in unbanked rural areas.
• Fino started operations as a payments bank in 2017.
• A payments bank can apply to transition into an SFB after five years of operations.
• This eligibility criteria is subject to meeting compliance and regulatory requirements.

Topic: Defence

10. India–Malaysia joint military exercise Harimau Shakti 2025 has begun at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan.

• This is the fifth edition of the exercise. It is being carried out from 5 to 18 December 2025.
• Troops from the DOGRA Regiment are representing Indian contingent.
• Troops from the 25th Battalion Royal Malaysian Army are representing teh Malaysian side.
• The exercise is aimed at practicing sub-conventional operations under UN Chapter VII mandate.
• The exercise also covers joint responses during counter-terrorist operations.
• Both sides will simulate casualty evacuation during hostile situations.
• The aim is to strengthen interoperability between the two armies.